Takeda Pharmaceuticals and TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. Merge

July 1, 2008

Combined Company is a Top 15 Pharmaceutical Company in the United States

Osaka, Japan and Deerfield, Ill. – July 1, 2008 (1 p.m. U.S. Central Time) – Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today announced that Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. merged with TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. (TAP), forming one of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies in the United States.

The merger is a result of the conclusion of a 30-year joint venture between Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Abbott announced March 19, 2008. According to terms previously announced, Takeda received the rights to TAP’s product Prevacid®, its non-Lupron related commercial organization, TAP's support organizations, and TAP’s pipeline. Effective May 1, 2008 TAP became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takeda America Holdings, Inc.

“Strengthening Takeda’s presence in the world’s largest pharmaceutical market is one of the keys to our future success,” said Yasuchika Hasegawa, president, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. “The merger of TAP and Takeda represents a significant milestone in the integration of these successful companies, and we look forward to maximizing future growth opportunities.”

“This integration is a significant opportunity for Takeda to enhance its U.S. business strategy and build on the past successes of TAP and Takeda,” said Alan MacKenzie, chief executive officer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., and executive vice president, Takeda America Holdings, Inc. “The new, combined Takeda organization is even better positioned to bring superior pharmaceutical products to patients and the healthcare professionals who treat them.”

Effective July 1, 2008, TAP no longer exists as a separate entity reporting to Takeda America Holdings, Inc. and former TAP employees who were part of this reporting structure are employees of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., its subsidiary, Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., or Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc.Based in Deerfield, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. In the United States, Takeda currently markets products for diabetes, insomnia, wakefulness and gastroenterology. Through the Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. the company has a robust pipeline with compounds in development for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other conditions. Takeda is committed to striving toward better health for individuals and progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products. To learn more about the company and its products, visit www.tpna.com .

About TakedaLocated in Osaka, Japan, Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to striving toward better health for individuals and progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products. Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, www.takeda.com .